Bible Questions & Discussion PAGE 156

Rapture discussion (continued).

Continuing my last post; there are other reasons such as what appears to be a war of Psalm 83 which has surrounding nations not in the Ezekiel 38 war. The land of unwalled villages of Ezekiel 38:11 shows what MAY come from the confirming of a peace agreement such as planned in the Abrahamic accords. Clearly Israel is well protected with walls and not in a position where it is secure in the land; such would have to be the case AFTER there is relief from the Palestinian and other nearby threats.

In any event; I have warned people many times about falling away after predicted dates don't come to pass. There are always people obsessed with theorizing such things who aren't making a concerted effort to fulfill the Great Commission and support those with all sorts of conspiracy theories that aren't factually based; dreams and visions that aren't rebuked when they are proven false; etc. Then there are those who seem to be unaware of the nearness of the hour who are in positions of leadership who are also not being discerning.

If He tarries say even another 5 or 6 years we can safely throw out ALL the theories as to who the Antichrist is; as well as ALL the plans these geriatric powers that be who are running things in the world today; many are so old they won't be around by then. That will mean an entirely new plan for world domination will have to come; albeit the same things such as peace with Israel and all the other goals of the powers that be will still be gaining a stranglehold on the world with religious unity; economic ontrol and military threats. I would say that Antichrist will gain his popularity as appearing to be a revolutionary and stand up with oratorical skills we simply don't see with the current establishment today. Those who have patiently been waiting can and will endure if they are truly God's chilren; we of course will see increasing tragedies or birth pains; at least precursors to the ones to come.

The Rapture: Imminency and the Feast of Trumpets

Many are aware Rosh Hashanah is coming between tomorrow and September 17 officially; which is known as the time in Jewish tradition where "no man knows the day and hour". ( Matt. 24:36). Of course even Jesus was said not to know the hour; only the Father so that it could be at any time; but perhaps on some specific feast of Trumpets based on the "last trump" ( 1 Cor. 15:52). Some have argued this means the last trumpet judgment in Revelation 11:15. The argument against that is that things appear to be going on as usual such as in the time of Noah (as we see in Matthew 24:37-39 immediately following the earlier reference). Surely that WON'T be the case after 14 judgments come to the earth.

As to this year; of xourse we have another interesting development with world leaders preparing to meet and apparently now floating through Saudi Arabia a peace deal for the Palestinians and Jews which they are only observing that; of course will divide Jerusalem. ( Dan. 11:39); and that will be part of the Daniel 9:27 prophecy as well; or the covenant with death and hell ( Isaiah 28:18). This will result eventually in half of the city taken ( Zech. 14:1-2). It is interesting this meeting is timed for Sept 19-20 and they will celebrate world peace early (normally it is Sept. 21 apparently for the World day of peace).

Let's step back a bit. I remember 40 reasons the Lord must come by 1988 (not sure the author). THAT didn't happen so the last genreation if it began in 1948 for the Lord to return based on Matthew 24:34 was wrong. Fast forward to 2018 and again SEVENTY years later which is as long as a generation can be and still no rapture. For Psalm 90:10 to be right the rapture would have had to happen by 2021 for the Second coming 2028 and STILL no rapture. My thesis is the beginning date is wrong; bassed on several things such as Luke 21:29-31 discussing ALL the trees (perhaps the whole area prospering economically)

Ze.3:1 (2 of 2)

Joshua the High Priest

even theLordthat hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee." In v.4 we have the change in circumstance. "and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee."

Also the following verses are set down in context of the advent of the Son, 'the branch.'"for, behold, I will bring forth my servant theBranch." In His first advent he came as Servant-King. Now Joshua in the vision stands in context of the temple the House of Prayer for all nations. The saints redeemed from the earth through great tribulations shall be as priests and kings unto God. "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,/And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father."(Re.1:5-6)

For meditation:"though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."(Is.1:18)

Ze.3:1

Joshua the High Priest(1 of 2)

"And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of theLord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him."

This vision is revealed by the 'a man with a measuring line in his hand' who figures in the preceding chapter, so we may assume the line is introduced in connection with a latter temple which is in the pipeline as the expression is, since there is nothing of the former extant. Haggai's prophecy now comes in focus, "For thus saith theLordof hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;/And I will shake all nations," (Hag.2:6-7). As with visions we are looking at the Now in the determined will of God.

What is a temple without the High Priest? Here the angel of the Lord points out to Zechariah Joshua the high priest. The same time we come across in the Book of Haggai, "Came the word of theLordby the prophet Haggai, saying,/Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest,"(Hag.2:1-2)" With regards to the accuracy of names no one shall dispute.

Instead we shall consider the circumstances in which Joshua is placed. Satan is contending with the Lord with regards to the person, "Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel." The Lord asks Satan, 'is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?'. God is referring to the great tribulation and Joshua is brought in as representing Jesus Christ. ("consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus" -He.3:1) The Hebrew name Joshua means 'God is our salvation' hellenized name for Jesus. In short the vision as presented before the prophet speaks of the authority of God to choose and people Jerusalem according to His own will and pleasure.

So what we have God's reproof of Satan's audacity to murmur. "And theLordsaid unto Satan, TheLordrebuke thee, O Satan

Ze.2:9-13

And Thou Shalt Know

"For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that theLordof hosts hath sent me./Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith theLord."

And here we have Messianic prophesy of the word becoming flesh."And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.:( John 1:14). Jesus also witnessed, "Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."( Luke 17:21)

Now in this context v.11 refers to 'in that day' which expression we shall come across in this book more often. Specifically he is referring to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all flesh and it then elides over the tribulation period, the time of the Gentiles to the Day of regeneration. "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea." (Hab.2:14; 2 Co.4:6). This knowledge is the glory of the word and it is the angel of the Lord represents in explaining the significance of the vision one after the other. It shall be internalized 'at that day'. "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. The tragedy of the apostate church is not that it has allied as miry clay with iron and both hang at odds with one another but what it has missed. As with the Parable of the Talents, it has hidden the glory of God in the ground. God shall certainly call to account.

11And many nations shall be joined to theLordin that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that theLordof hosts hath sent me unto thee.

12And theLordshall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.

Ze.1: 12 (3 of 3)

"Seventy Years"

"Then the angel of theLordanswered and said, OLordof hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?"(v.12)

Here the 70 has double purpose. It refers to the years of captivity God had set down. It is also a command number (7x10) to indicate the latter days.. In the Gospel of St Luke Jesus sends the other 70 disciples. (One interesting feature is that Satan falling from heaven is mentioned only in terms of this mission.(Luke10:17-18). Thus we need settle the time period for the vision of Four Carpenters towards the end. They shall step in on the history of nations, to which we have two sets of angels with seven trumpets and angels with seven vials respectively. (Re.8-19). In between Ch.12 and ch.13 provide us insights into the great tribulation overwhelming the Gentile nations. If the Lord permits we shall come to it by and by.

And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.

20And theLordshewed me four carpenters.

21Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.

Ze.1:7-17

The Man Among the Myrtle Trees (2 of 3)

The boisterous winds in heaven mirror on the earth so the sea is always synonymous for restless sea, "But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt."(Is.57:20). There is no stopping till God steps in and bring judgment upon the four beasts. So what peace are we looking at?

The only answer is in the vision of St. John."And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth,"(Re.7:1). From the following verses it shall be clear that a body of 'the nation of Israel' has to be preserved. They shall be as trees of righteousness as myrtle tree signifies. Compare with 144,000 the first fruits standing with the Lamb on Mount Sion.(Re.14:1)

Who are they? There is no more temple worship, no king and no more Levitical priesthood. Yet we have here Joshua ( along with Zerubabbel) an historical personage figuring in the vision. "And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of theLord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him." Satan is resisting him before the most High, with 'facts'. But by holding up the four winds the angels at the command has set curfew 'which is the half an hour silence in heaven' signifying that Satan and his cohorts shall not interfere in this translation. "And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour." (Re.8:1)

Thus a brief respite is allowed for the left-behind church to step into the void just as Seth stepped in place of Abel whom Cain slew. This group shall be in place of Israel till a remnant from them make up the body of Christ or New Jerusalem.

Ze.1:7-17 (1 of 3)

The Man Among the Myrtle Trees

"And they answered the angel of theLordthat stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest."

This vision comes a couple of months later. We have four riders who report before the man among the myrtle trees. "I saw by night" We may well assume the significance is same as was in the visions of Daniel and it is determined in the Now of the will of God. However we have the vantage from which Zechariah sees it,- from the bird's POV. "and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom"(v.8) The visions that Daniel saw were at his eye level where we see with Prophet Zechariah further into time,- and it is latter days as we shall soon understand. The ravine at the bottom (or the river of time) is merely hinted at. So we need not let it hold us up.

The Man among the myrtle trees or laurel trees, leaves of which are evergreen, and it establishes quality of each other is derived from the word of God.The man is none other than the word become flesh. "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."(Ps.1:2) He is the Spirit of Christ,- the angel of the Lord, and he is there overseeing the angels representing four cardinal directions color coded. Red horses, speckled, and white.

"We have walked to and fro through the earth.". Now comes the mystery of 'all the earth sitting still, and is at rest." We have had the vision of four beasts each divers from other arising from the great sea in the Book of Daniel. ch.7. "Behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea./And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another." (Dan.7:2-3)

Ze.1:1-6 (2 of 2)

"The Word"

The imagery which Zechariah uses of the stone, having eyes is with regards to the Branch. "For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes." The seven eyes refers to this verse, "stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth."(Re.5:9) Spirit of God is the driver behind the first vision of the myrtle tree.

3Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith theLordof hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith theLordof hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith theLordof hosts.

4Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith theLordof hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith theLord.

5Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?

6But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as theLordof hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.

Ze.1:1-6 (1 of 2)

"The Word"

1In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of theLordunto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,/

"TheLordhath been sore displeased with your fathers." The Babylonian captivity gave Daniel another vision as only as distance permits a man to get an objective look for what Jerusalem really represented. God's promises shall never change so while we consider Jerusalem her glory shall never be on the earth. This is the whole burden of this book.

The captivity similarly gave Haggai who was more a contemporary of Zechariah yet another view.."Once more (itisa little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land;and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations."(Hag.2:6-7)

In order to understand the drift of Zechariah's visions, we need have a thorough understanding of Haggai. Especially this verse."The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,' says the LORDof hosts. 'And in this place I will give peace,' says the LORDof hosts." (Hag.2:9). This glory is not created on the earth by free will offering of the people as was the case with tabernacle in the wilderness. Not was it in the case of King Solomon. All that gold and silver amassed by David and his son were scattered since their disobedience necessitated God to take some drastic steps. There shall no more kings to lead them for the simple reason that there was nothing to bind them as one. They had rejected the statutes which the Lord faults them through Zechariah, "But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers?"(v.6)

The Lord had enough of their offerings. For this reason Haggai says,"The silverisMine, and the goldisMine,' says the LORDof hosts.(Hag.2:8-NKJV). In place of rituals and traditions of their fathers He wanted them to have fleshy hearts.

Romans 8:12-13

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Romans 6:16-23

16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

One can have all the enteral security they want, if they stayed secured. But not when they sin.

Book of Zechariah -introduction

"In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of theLordunto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet,"

In Matt.23:35 we have this,"That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar." By Law of Gradation he is thus set in direct context of the slain Lamb.

Zechariah is a double for the Son and when Jesus shed his righteous blood, the Spirit sets his place in the Salvation Plan of God. In 'the woe to you' discourse we have a passage that must be understood as summing up, that no more Jerusalem that suffered all these violence shall be considered worthy. Consider this cryptic remark of Jesus,"For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord(23:39) ".

In the vision of the Golden Candlestick (ch.4) we have the same Golden Standard of faith against which the nations were judged in the king's dream. (Dan.2). Instead the temple building that forms kern of the Book of Zechariah, we need understand the personal responsibility of salvation is in the manner he relates to his Savior. The worldly churches are becoming more like wolves in sheep clothes. In continuation of the Vision of Daniel we see the plummet line is dropped from heaven. "for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of theLord, which run to and fro through the whole earth." (4:10) Isaiah predicts "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste."(Is.28:16)

In his martyrdom of Zechariah we have the desolation of the Abomination, and it was as evil as was the one mentioned in the book of Daniel.

Congregation, Tabernacle of

'And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:/ Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiff-necked people: lest I consume thee in the way"(Ex.33:2-3).

A Tabernacle is where God desires to dwell among people. So Moses makes the tabernacle of the Congregation, which is not the tabernacle God spoke to Moses in Ex. Ch. 25. God dies not revise His Will because of some stiff-necked people are present. This Congregation is about the names found in the book of life of the Son. (Nu.14:23-24) He makes it clear of another spirit which is of obedience." (32:8).

So this corruption necessitates two kinds of tabernacle. We have here two tabernacles one that is front and the other which is back. (See under B-back side) Instead of God an angel of the Lord shall go before them. As accompaniment the pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night shall follow as promised by God throughout their journey. (40:38). God's calling and gifts are irrevocable. As promised they shall be led unto the land flowing with milk and honey. However God has made it clear, 'for I will not go up in the midst of thee;'

The tabernacle of the Congregation was merely an indication that their sins would be called to account. 'Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.'(Ex.32:34)

Congregation of the dead

Our God is the God of the living. The condition of death only applies to the world of the flesh,- dissolution of corporeal bodies explain it. God's promise is our safety and since we trusted in his Son we have been lifted from the world of flesh to heavenly places. This has one meaning of being part of our Saviour as Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending. Predestination has thus a great congregation to which we have been added.

We were once dead in our sins but found grace to witness it before our friends and families.(Ep.2:1)Those who disregarded the good counsel of the Word are dead even though they go through motions of living. Woman who lives in pleasure is similarly dead.(1 Ti.5:6) They belong to the congregation of dead (Pr.21:16)

Our lives are as though we are among a great congregation to which the writer to the Hebrews also testifies, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us (He.12:1)..

Here we have a Messianic prophecy and the Psalmist inspired by the Spirit speaks of a great congregation: "I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest./." (Ps.40:9-10)

'My doctrine is not mine but his that sent me' ( John 7:16) and by principle of Association every disciple who believed in the gospel and in promise of the risen Jesus ('Lo I am with you always even to the end of the world ') make up this great congregation. They were called and were foreknown. For this reason Jesus died for the dead and went in his Spirit and preached the gospel to those who were held captive. Congregation of these dead also make up the congregation that is mentioned in the above-mentioned quote.

Zechariah, Book of

"In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo." (Ze.1:1-NIV)

Zechariah was a contemporary of Haggai, we have the date given so the book as with other prophetic writings in the Bible discusses the topical events,- and it is the starting for the end times and nevertheless the truth of narrative never veers from the divine Will as fulfilled by the Son. "In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness".(13:1)

The Spirit uses tags consistently so several visions Four horses, Four carpenters (1:7-21) are dead giveaways to indicate the universality of divine Will. Symbolism of man on the red horse among the myrtle trees is different from the man between the banks of Ulai. (Dan.8:16). Looking up and down have similar significances. The four carpenters are deputed from heaven to "to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it."(1:21)

The Spirit anchors this line as coming from the Lord is key to the rest of the book. "I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem."(1:16) He who has come to Jerusalem mercies shall return where he came from. "He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things."(Ep.4:10)

The line that stretched upon Jerusalem is now taken up in Ze.4:10. "For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth". Jerusalem in the last book is shown descending from heaven, as New Jerusalem.(Re.21:3)

Zoar

God sent his angels to take Lot to safety before He destroyed Sodom. "Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar."(Ge.19:22). It must have had another name earlier but the Spirit gives significance of it in spiritual terms as similar to the cleft of a rock where God deposited Moses while His glory was in full flow. Moses would only see the back parts. The cleft of the rock is set in terms of the Rock of Ages. In a manner of speaking it was city prepared for him in advance.

Zelophehad, Five daughters of

Nu.27:1-7

"The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them." (v.7) This was a singular case, which necessitated an additional law to be made to the civil code of Israel.

In Christ the church is the body in which there is no gender issue, and our inheritance is of God. Our inheritance among the heirs, the saints called unto the kingdom of light are as co-heirs with Christ. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light (1 Pe.2:9)"

Gibeon

Gibeon meaning hill or hill city situated within the territory allotted to the tribe of Benjamin. "Now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites"-Nu.21:2. The Spirit sets down Gibeon as the sin of disobedience. God had warned Moses, "Do not make any covenant with them or their gods"(Ex.23:32-NIV). Much of Israel's problems owed ever since to their failure. The inhabitants of Gibeon approached Israel by guile and they struck a league under oath before 'Jehovah God of Israel'. Thus the lives of the Gibeonites were spared., which Joshua found only three days later.

They were, ('ye are cursed') as the five Amorite kings who were hung up on poles at the stone of Gibeon. Their curse stands in relation to the Son who became a curse for us. Consider these two verses in which the phrase,' unto this day' is how the Spirit sets it in frame of reference to the death of the Son the cross.

Firstly on the Gibeonites, "And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose.(9:27)". The phrase 'unto this day occurs again in connection with the five Amorite kings defeated by Joshua. "That Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave's mouth, which remain until this very day."( Josh 10:27)

Generations (2 of 2)

What we have in the last chapter is the description of the new earth, the inheritance of the children of light. It is most essential to know that the key feature of this earth is light so glorious as not to require the sun. Two motifs make the description of the garden-city given Rev.22:1-5 is the continuation of the Garden of Eden. Firstly Adam had the glory of light as his covering that obviated the shame attached to nakedness. He was inheritor of light so as to be qualified as son of God in the Lucan genealogy Lk.3:38. Compare the separation of light from darkness (Ge.1:3) before the creation of the sun, moon and the stars(1:14).

Second motif is the tree of life of which Adam was free to eat. In the new earth we see the same tree on either side of the pure water of life. "And on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations(Re.22:2). In the Genesis account the two trees were set as two witnesses of the Word. Tree of salvation signified the tree of life. On the other hand the tree of the knowledge of good and evil signalled judgment. By eating thereof in disobedience the tree of life judged Adam and expulsion was its consequence.

Before the new earth is inaugurated this shall happen,- and everything of defilement and symptomatic of man's ungodliness must be stripped off the earth. "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up(2 Pe.3:10)".

Generations (1 of 2)

In the creation account we are given at the end , "These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,(Ge.2:4)" This day is the reconstituted Time.

'All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made ( John 1:3).Time element does not change so when Jesus said, 'My Father worketh hitherto; and I work' it is equally true. The Word aspect is in control so when Jesus said, 'things concerning me have an end' it is referring to his humanity. The risen Christ before his Ascension promised his disciples. 'And lo, I am with you always, even unto the world (Matt.28:20)." This moves forward as well as backwards that explains the Alpha Omega aspect of the word.

We have additional clue to it in the penultimate chapter of the Bible. Re.21:5-7

"And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely./ He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son".

Where the Spirit referred to generations in the Genesis it was from the standpoint of the Father we have here from the Son. For this reason He establishes His authority, I am Alpha and Omega etc., The generations of the heavens and of the earth in the same flow unstoppable as willed by the Father give over to new heaven and the new earth. As the 24 elders testified, -it is their testimony, it is created for His pleasure.

Galatians, epistle to

St Paul on his first missionary trip to Asia Minor planted the churches in in southern Galatia were planted (Ac.13:13-14:23) and he went through northern Galatia on his second(Ac.16:6) and third (Ac.18:23) missionary journeys.

We find in this epistle, his vigorous condemnation of the heresies that were brought in by Judaizers -those who sought to make living under the Mosaic Law a requirement of the Christian faith and had gained an influence in the Galatian churches. Paul wrote the book a few months before his attendance at the Jerusalem Council in AD 49, a meeting where the apostles would take up this very topic (Ac.15:1-30). Where Christ was the fulfilment of the Law (Ro.10:4) 'to everyone that believeth' these false brethren insisted on observance which was according to carnal wisdom. Taking line of least resistance, as the early church would in the post-Constantine period adopt the cultural and ecclesiastical rites of the pagan world, it was indeed a deception played upon the unsuspecting congregation.

Epistle to the Galatians holds much more relevance now in hindsight, the benefit of comparing the theological position the church holds now,- a far cry from the great stir that Judaizers in the time of Paul set off, against errors of human wisdom confusing the word of God. Ecumenism of recent times does not address the perfection of the word of God and in the midst of gloom and doom our certainty is that the foundation of God nevertheless stands sure and God knows who are his.

As usual he closes the epistle by writing at the end of the letter himself in large letters (Gal.6:11).

This epistle has always been among those Pauline epistles least challenged on the issue of authorship.

This wasn't written to a single church in a single city. For example, 1 Thessalonians is addressed to the specific church (1 Thess.1:1) this was addressed to the churches of Galatia. This was a region where a number of churches were doing the ministry of God

Jesus said in ( Rev 22:13) I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

The first verse and the last verse in the Bible are ( Gen 1:1) and ( Rev 22:21)

The first and last words in the first and last verses are

( Gen 1:1) (In) and (earth)

And in ( Rev 22:21) (The) and (Amen)

These four words (In) (earth) (The) and (Amen) show up in the KJB 77777 times! And the KJB ONLY!

( Isaiah 45:23) "I have (sworn) by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness" The word (sworn) is #7650; it means to be complete, to seven oneself, (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) ( Ps 12:6-7)

The KJB is the pure preserved Word of God!

( Titus 1:9-16)

Truth matters.

Blessings to all who seek His Truth.

Saved64,

I would have to say no. There is only one "gift" that is given to a believer, and that is the gift of the Holy Spirit. We read about Jesus' healing of many. And yes, He gave power to His apostles to heal some. Jesus never failed when He healed. We cannot say the same for the apostles.

If there are such men today with the power to heal the same as Jesus did, my question is why do we have so many children in hospitals that are dying?

GiGi,

I completely agree with what you are saying here, Amen! As long as we are in this fleshly body, we cannot be completely free from sin. And what about the sins we don't even realize we are committing? What does it mean in Romans 14:23, that little phrase which reads, "for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."

Once we become aware of what that phrase truly means, we then realize how difficult (and dare I say impossible) it is to be completely sin free. Personally, I find it to be a struggle at the end of the day to confess to the Lord that I went the entire day without sin.

Blessings!

Jim,

Good discussion here. We have engaged in this topic a number of occasions before, but it is always a good topic to continue examining.

I agree that we should desire to be Christ-like, but only Christ, who is God in the flesh is truly altogether good and sinless. In this life our sinful nature remains in us, it permeates our whole being. But being reborn, we now have a victorious spiritual nature enlivened by the Holy Spirit. The grace of God administered to us by the Holy Spirit not only gives us the desire to ,ive a life in imitation of Christ but also gives us the power to resist the sinful nature, whereas the unbeliever does not have such power because the Holy Spirit does not dwell in them. So, as believers, we are able to live godly lives, but not sin-free lives. The Holy Spirit is our sanctifier, and He is bit by bit conforming us to the moral character of Christ.

I have met people who claim to have reached sinless perfection in their lives, but in reality, I notice many sins happening in their lives. They have just pridefully either deluded themselves, or ignore these sines, or else attribute them to mistakes or weaknesses, but do not admit them to be sin. For me, I know I am growing in holiness because the Spirit lives in me, but also, because He lives in me, I am more and more aware of sins I do not do inwardly and outwardly, in attitudes and motives, and in reluctance when I know the right thing to do, even though I still may obey, the reluctance shows me that I am still sinful.

Every word of God is pure! ( Proverbs 30:5-6)

The word (pure) is #2889; it means sound, clear, unadulterated, uncontaminated, innocent or holy.

Comparing the KJB and the Nasb.

KJB ( Col 1:14) "In whom we have redemption through his blood"'

The Nasb says "in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins"

Here the Nasb removes the blood of Jesus Christ!

KJB ( 2 Sam 21:19) Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite.

The Nasb says "Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite"

Here the Nasb says Elhanan killed Goliath, wouldn't that be adding to the Word? ( Prov 30:5-6) ( Rev 22:18-19)

KJB ( Jn 7:8) Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.

The Nasb says "Go up to the feast yourselves; I am not going up to this feast, because my time is not yet fully arrived".

Jesus went to the feast so the Nasb is making Jesus look like He's a liar, but ( Proverbs 30:5-6)

KJB ( Jn 6:47) "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life"

The Nasb says "Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who believes has eternal life"

The KJB is the Inspired Word of God! There are many verses where Jesus tells us we should keep His Words!

All modern versions fit perfectly with this verse ( Jer 23:36) The word (perverted) is #2015; it means to turn about or over, to change, overturn pervert, change. Someone is changing the words of the living God, that would be all modern version bibles.

( 1 Tim 4:1) In the (latter times which is our time now) many will give heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.

( 2 Tim 4:3-4) Do you not see that the Nasb is doctrine that's not sound? You could safely say its even anti-Jesus!

Modern versions are all the same, they are only words of men, these bibles are not Inspired by God!

The Truth matters.

Blessings.

Do we have the True Word of God today?

( Isa 45:22-23) v23 "I have (sworn) by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return.

The word (sworn) is #7650; it means to be complete, to seven oneself, (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) charge (by an oath, with an oath)

( Ps 12:6-7) v6) The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth purified (seven) times.

The word (seven) is #7659; it means dual adverb of 7651, seven times, 7651; from 7650, a primary cardinal number; seven (as the sacred full one) an infinite number, 7650; to be complete, to seven oneself, (as if repeating a declaration seven times) charge (by an oath, with an oath). The same meaning as the word (sworn) As God said "I have sworn by myself the word is gone out of my mouth"..

Also a time in the Bible is 1 year, so purified (seven) (times) is purified 7 years. It took 7 years to finish the translation of the KJB.

( 2 Tim 3:16) "All scripture is given by inspiration of God". The word (scripture) is #1124; it means a document, holy Writ, (or its contents or a statement in it) especially to write, write (-ing, -ten)

The scripture that is inspired by God is a written document!

One that we have today! ( 2 Tim 2:15) "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth". If we are told to "Study" and "rightly divide the word of truth" then we most defiantly do have scripture, the word of truth in a written document with us today!

( 2 Pet 1:19-21) v20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the (scripture) is of any private interpretation. v21 "but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost". (scripture) is #1124; its a written document, holy Writ, the same meaning as the scripture inspired by God in ( 2 Tim 3:16)

moved by the Holy Ghost? What does the Holy Ghost do?

( Jn 14:26) "he shall teach you all things" He taught them all things

( Rev 22:7) ( Rev 22:18-19)

As Christian disciples, we are to be "Christ-like" NOT "THE CHRIST! No one expects any Christian to achieve sinless perfection only Jesus Christ the son of GOD was ever able to do that.

Leviticus 17:10-14 The eating of BLOOD was likewise forbidden. The blood was for ATONEMENT, not for nourishment. "The life of the flesh is in the blood." v11 The principle behind atonement is life for life. Since the wages of sin is death, symbolized by the shedding of blood, so "without the shedding of blood is no remission." Forgiveness does not come because the penalty of sin is EXCUSED, but because it is [[[ TRANSFERRED ]]] to a sacrifice whose lifeblood is poured out. Verse 11 is one of the key verses in Leviticus and should be memorized. When an animal was slaughtered, its blood was drained immediately. An animal that died accidentally was unclean if its blood was not drained right away.

This reveals just how SERIOUS sin actually is. You can get rid of it, it follows you... It has to be TRANSFERRED.. This is why the blood of Jesus Christ is SO PRECIOUS! He is the ultimate sacrifice for all our sins past, present, and future. We are covered under his blood! As Christians, we should try to avoid sin as much as possible, but if we do fall down we can repent, and the LORDS' blood will cover that sin! That is how back-sliding Christians can be restored.

Giannis wrote:

Hi again Jim.

Do we really ever reach a stage that we become "dead to sin", in other words a sinless state? Paul suggests us to consider ourselves dead to sin that is strive not to be controlled/influenced by it, but has anybody ever succeeded to become sinless?

ABSOLUTELY not and it is not even possible simply due to the fact that "man" in his fallen state will always have his sin nature. There is a struggle between this sin nature and us yielding to the lead of the Holy Spirit.

The difference between the Christian and the unsaved is that the Christian does not make sin his/her current walk in life. They might sin on occasion, but regret it and grieve the Holy Spirit, confess the sin, and repent and try not to do it again. A far cry from the unsaved who sin with impunity and not only have no conscience about the sins they commit they are proud of doing them!

The Christian internally no longer WANTS to sin and feels grieved when he does so, in a way he is dead to sin, but the unsaved could give a damn and is proud about it!

Post-baptismal sin can not make anyone lose their salvation... Only individual apostasy can do that, but if one turns back from this apostasy it is still not too late because the Holy Spirit is still working with at least some kind of spiritual pulse no matter how unspiritual the apostate might be.

(9) Those who genuinely become concerned about their spiritual condition and have a desire to return to God in true repentance (i.e., changing one's attitude toward God, admitting sin, turning from one's own way and submitting to God) can be sure that they have not committed the unforgivable sin (cf. Mk 3:29), or ultimate apostasy. God's Word clearly affirms that he does not want anyone to perish or be spiritually lost and separated from him for eternity ( 2Pe 3:9; cf. Isa 1:18-19; 55:6-7). In fact, the heavenly Father will joyfully receive any wayward, rebellious or lost child who truly repents and returns to him (compare Gal 5:

yeah sure!